Two charged after Allentown search warrant leads to heroin, gun

Two men were arrested Tuesday night after Allentown vice officers searched their apartment and found heroin, drug paraphernalia and a handgun with a scratched-off serial number, according to court records.

Ronald G. Santiago, 46, and Alexander Alicea, 59, were charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal conspiracy and possession of a firearm with an altered manufacturer's number. Santiago also faces an additional weapons violation because he has several felony convictions in his past, according to court records.

Both men were arraigned by District Judge Michael D'Amore and sent to Lehigh County Jail under $100,000 bail.

According to a criminal complaint:

Allentown vice officers and the emergency response team served a search warrant at 7:52 p.m. in an apartment on South 13th Street.

Santiago was seen leaving the house and getting into a car, but was stopped by officers. He had a cellphone, 100 wax bags of heroin and $1,427 on him. Police found Alicea in the apartment.

Police found a .32-caliber handgun in a closet and ammunition, drug paraphernalia, a bag containing 100 grams of heroin and 80 more wax bags of heroin in a safe. Police found more paraphernalia throughout the house.

Alicea told police all the drugs and the gun belonged to Santiago. At police headquarters, officers found more heroin and money on Santiago.